In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a programmable surface comprises an array of cells. Each of the cells can communicate electronically with adjacent cells in the array, can compute, and can generate either normal thrust or shear thrust. Distributed computing is employed. The programmable surface may cover all or part of the exterior of a craft, such as an aircraft or marine vessel. Or, instead, the programmable surface may comprise the craft itself, which may, for example, take the form of a “flying carpet” or “flying sphere”. The thrust generated by the programmable surface can be employed directly to provide lift. Or it can be used to control the orientation of the craft, by varying the relative amount of thrust outputted by the respective cells. The number of cells employed may be changed on a mission-by-mission basis, to achieve “span on demand”. Each cell may carry its own payload.
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1. A craft with an external surface comprising an array of programmable cells, wherein each cell in the array comprises at least one processor for performing computations, at least one thrust generator for generating thrust, and wires or wireless transceivers for communicating with adjoining cells.
A craft has an outer surface made of a grid ("array") of programmable cells. Each cell has a processor for calculations, a thrust generator, and communication links (wires or wireless) to its neighbors. This allows the craft's surface to act as a distributed computing system and propulsion mechanism. The cells coordinate to generate thrust for movement and control.
2. The craft of claim 1 , wherein the craft is an aircraft.
The craft with an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust) is an aircraft.
3. The craft of claim 1 , wherein at least some cells in the array are adapted to generate thrust in a direction substantially normal to the external surface's local orientation.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). Some of these cells can generate thrust that is perpendicular ("normal") to the surface at that location. This allows for direct lift or force applied away from the craft's surface.
4. The craft of claim 3 , wherein the external surface is adapted to control the direction of motion and angular orientation of the craft, by varying the relative amount of thrust generated by different cells in the array.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. By changing how much thrust each cell outputs, the surface controls the craft's movement direction and orientation in space.
5. The craft of claim 3 , wherein the array of cells is adapted to generate a net thrust vector, and wherein the craft is adapted to cause that net thrust vector to point in any 3D direction relative to the craft's inertial frame of reference, by varying the relative amount of thrust generated by different cells in the array, respectively.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The cells work together to create an overall thrust direction ("net thrust vector"). The craft can point this thrust in any direction in 3D space relative to itself by controlling the individual cell thrust.
6. The craft of claim 3 , wherein cells in the array are arranged in modular units, each of which modular units comprises one or more cells.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The cells are grouped into modules, where each module contains one or more cells.
7. The craft of claim 6 , wherein the modular units are connected to each other by detachable interconnections that allow the number of modules in the array to be varied on different flights of the craft.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The cells are grouped into modules, where each module contains one or more cells. These modules connect using detachable links, allowing the number of modules, and thus the overall surface area and thrust capability, to be changed between flights.
8. The craft of claim 6 , wherein at least some of the modular units have flexible interconnections with each other.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The cells are grouped into modules, where each module contains one or more cells. At least some of the connections between modules are flexible.
9. The craft of claim 8 , wherein at least some of the flexible interconnections are not load-bearing.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The cells are grouped into modules, where each module contains one or more cells, and at least some of the connections between modules are flexible. Some of these flexible connections do not carry structural loads.
10. The craft of claim 8 , wherein the array of cells comprises a deformable array for generating and detecting signals.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The cells are grouped into modules, where each module contains one or more cells, and at least some of the connections between modules are flexible. The array of cells can deform, and also generate and detect signals (like a sensor network).
11. The craft of claim 3 , wherein the craft has a main body, and the main body is in the shape of a polyhedron with at least four sides.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). At least some of these cells can generate thrust perpendicular to the surface at that location. The main body of the craft is shaped like a polyhedron (a 3D shape with flat faces) having at least four faces.
12. The craft of claim 1 , wherein cells in the array are adapted to generate thrust in a direction substantially parallel to the external surface's local orientation.
A craft has an outer surface made of a grid ("array") of programmable cells. Each cell has a processor for calculations, a thrust generator, and communication links (wires or wireless) to its neighbors. This allows the craft's surface to act as a distributed computing system and propulsion mechanism. The cells coordinate to generate thrust for movement and control. The cells are designed to generate thrust parallel to the local surface direction.
13. The craft of claim 12 , wherein the external surface is adapted to control the direction of motion or angular orientation of the craft, by varying the relative amount of thrust generated by different cells in the array.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). These cells generate thrust parallel to the surface at that location. The thrust output from each cell is controlled independently to change the craft's direction and orientation.
14. The craft of claim 12 , wherein the craft is a watercraft, boat, ship or other marine vessel.
The craft has an outer surface made of programmable cells (each cell having a processor, thrust generator, and communication links to neighbors for distributed computing and coordinated thrust). These cells generate thrust parallel to the surface at that location. The thrust output from each cell is controlled independently to change the craft's direction and orientation. The craft is a watercraft (boat, ship, or other marine vessel).
15. A method of propulsion and control of a craft, which craft has at least one external surface comprising a plurality of units, each of which units comprises at least one processor for performing computations, at least one actuator for generating thrust, and wires or wireless transceivers for communicating with neighboring cells, which method comprises, in combination: propelling the craft by causing at least some units in the plurality of units to generate thrust, and controlling the motion and orientation of the craft by varying the amount of thrust generated by the at least some units, respectively.
This invention relates to a propulsion and control system for a craft, where the craft's external surface is composed of multiple interconnected units. Each unit includes a processor for computations, an actuator for generating thrust, and communication components (wires or wireless transceivers) to exchange data with adjacent units. The method involves propelling the craft by activating thrust-generating units and controlling its motion and orientation by adjusting the thrust output of these units. The distributed architecture allows for coordinated thrust adjustments across the surface, enabling precise maneuvering and stability. The system leverages decentralized processing and communication to dynamically adapt thrust distribution based on real-time conditions, improving efficiency and responsiveness. This approach is particularly useful for craft requiring agile movement, such as drones, spacecraft, or underwater vehicles, where traditional centralized control systems may be less effective. The invention addresses challenges in achieving fine-grained control and redundancy in propulsion systems by distributing both computational and actuation functions across the craft's surface.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the craft is an aircraft and the at least some units are adapted to generate thrust in a direction substantially normal to the external surface's local orientation.
A method for propelling and controlling a craft that has an outer surface comprised of units (each with a processor, thrust actuator, and communication links). The method involves generating thrust using at least some of these units, and controlling the craft's motion by adjusting the amount of thrust. The craft is an aircraft, and the thrust is generated perpendicular to the surface at the unit's location.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the craft is a watercraft, boat, ship or other marine vessel and the at least some units are adapted to generate thrust in a direction substantially parallel to the craft's direction of motion.
A method for propelling and controlling a craft that has an outer surface comprised of units (each with a processor, thrust actuator, and communication links). The method involves generating thrust using at least some of these units, and controlling the craft's motion by adjusting the amount of thrust. The craft is a watercraft (boat, ship, or other marine vessel), and the thrust is generated parallel to the craft's direction of motion.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 18, 2011
June 25, 2013
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